AW suggests appointing a primary and secondary individual to represent that organization in the Elkhorn council. What if the BWA just added these duties to the Prez and the conservation offices?



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/14/2008 02:01AM by barry.

Maybe.

Or, I thought. . . . . . . . . .
and thought. . . . . .

How about; the club elects two interim reps for the duration of this officer's year ( ends June, 2008 ), or longer, to provide for a transition phase from the argumentative and unwanted problems of the past ?

My .02 cents. . . . . . .
Mike M

I think that's an outstanding idea Barry for mulitiple reasons. It uses folks that are already club officers, not needlessly adding 2 officer positions for ... a takeout! For gods sakes this doesn't have to be complicated, it's just a takeout! I agree it must be managed well, but would not add significantly, imo, to the duties already assigned to these positions. Furthermore, it's ridiculously simple idea, and IMO, the simpler the better. No need for new elections to choose people for new positions, we already have them so it will save time and things will hopefully get done that need to get done. Further, these are folks that are already active as club officers ... won't be folks that will disappear or be hard to find.

However, because of the bad blood already on the battlefield, I can see this being an issue for some people. But the reality is... even in their worst conspiracy nightmares, how much damage can one person on the council do to a .... yes I'll say it again... takeout.

Wes

It's more like "how much damage can people do by setting a precedent that if they want something badly enough they can steamroll over other people on their way to getting it" that bothers me more than "how much damage can people do to a takeout". I am NOT saying that is happening here, I don't know what is happening to the takeout. I do know that I am of the opinion that the bylaws should be tightened up and maybe a few more procedures put in place to deal with conflicts that seem to be regularly coming up so that we can all agree on what should be done and go from there.

This seems a little like putting the cart before the horse.

AW says it wants us(locals) to come to a consensus on how to manage this property, yet the BWA has had little to no discussion, nor any type of vote that it wants any change in management at all.

The same holds true for the other area clubs. Those clubs have not had much discussion on this issue and don't seem to be asking for a change in management.

There is an existing managing body, the Elkhorn Acres Management Group, made up primarily of the major donors to the property and/or their representatives and representatives from the Bluegrass Wildwater Association, the Viking Canoe Club and the Elkhorn Paddlers.

Until these clubs vote to do something different, or until American Whitewater demands we do something different, I would suggest we continue to work within the existing managing body, who has been trying to, and doing a good job of working within AW's posted guidelines for AW property management.

The EAMG does not exist, except in the minds of those who want to mantain control of their imaginarry world. The EAMG has never accomplished a thing since. Only a few individuals have put forth the effort for all paddlers. Let the BWA over see it and bring people together. The BWA pulled it together to purchase it, BWA is the closest club to it, BWA is always there, BWA uses it the most and they have the structure and volunteers to maintain it. Thanks.

Mr. Margavage

Dale, This topic has had volumes of discussion. AW is asking for a new entity to take over the management of the property that it owns. I invite you to re-read the remarks of the Executive Director of American Whitewater. Here's the link:
[www.americanwhitewater.org]

Jen, Since you missed the SC meeting 2 weeks ago and the BWA meeting last Tuesday you may not be aware of the request by AW for a new management structure. Please see the link I provided above for more info to help you better understand what is happening with the management of the takeout going forward.

Wes, your right - the simpler the better:-) With that objective in mind, I think the BWA has voted in the past that the BWA President act as the EAMG rep so, the only effective change for the BWA with AW's new Elkhorn Council would be the selection of the requested backup rep which I'm suggesting could be the BWA's existing Conservation officer. As a member of the BWA SC I will be offering this up as a motion for a vote by the SC and then the full BWA membership if necessary.

SuperDave, your spot on. Let's come together and move this forward.
barryg



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/14/2008 03:46PM by barry.

While it's true that quite a few BWAer's were involved in the purchase, it is pretty misleading to claim that the BWA did it all and it's a slap in the face to the nonBWAer's who have given money and put forth efforts to purchase and maintain the property.

Quite a few of the original donors who were not BWA members, became BWA members in a good faith effort to support a local club and to try to keep a finger on the pulse of the boating community. Many have drifted away from the BWA, but are still interested in maintaining the property.

Most of the efforts by rogue volunteers, in an effort to "out do" the EAMG, don't appear to fall within the guidelines posted by AW for the property. Some of these projects that were done, will be redone properly. The gravel driveway, which was routed through a low spot, contrary to EAMG plans, will probably be an ongoing problem. These same rogue volunteers who specifically ignored the EAMG's plan for routing the driveway around this low spot, now seem to be the ones fussing about the "pot holes" which are mainly in this low spot in the driveway. This type of short sighted "improvement" to the property is one of the things the EAMG was originally trying to avoid.

I will admit that I'm guilty of some rogue volunteering of my own. For the last several years, without the permission of the EAMG or AW, I have taken it upon myself to keep the grass along the road, the driveway and the parking area mowed and have attempted to keep the trash picked up(that is a struggle) . I perform this rogue volunteer effort 2-3 times a month, in season. I use my own mower, fuel and have paid for all repairs out of my pocket, with the exception of a carb rebuild and tune up done by another rogue volunteer, with his own time and money spent on parts. He, like myself, prefers to donate his time for these efforts anonymously, yet... recent events and accusations spur me to come forth and confess my efforts.

I'm continuously floored and amazed that the original donors(represented by the EAMG) came together to purchase this property. I appreciate the donations from each and every one of them, including those whom I disagree with. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

That is why I choose to spend my time and $$$'s towards the property and I would like to see the original donors get to follow through with their management plans for the property(which closely mirror AW's guidelines), until management duties can more gracefully evolve into something else.

I see a suggestion for a new management structure, not a request. There's a difference.

If I have this confused, I beg for an AW representative to make it clear to me.

Is AW demanding a new management structure?

I think keeping the prez as our liason and adding the consevation officer sounds like a great choice. I agree that trying to vote someone in is a waste of energy and time. If these two offices are willing to take on more responsibility then bravo! I am confident that these five clubs can come to some very reasonable and timely decisions with the structure that has been suggested. Remeber K.I.S.S. I really like the idea that the fate of our simple little takeout will always be in the hands of current boaters, whitewater and otherwise. It also seems like a wonderful opportunity for the five clubs to come together and enjoy events(like working on the takeout/elkhorn cleanups/parties) It seems like a chance to get to know some birds-of-a-feather and bring our clubs closer.

BTW-The people who would maintain the porta-potty(i hate that they use my name in vain)--do they also maintain trash cans? Just a thought.

Oh, and god bless those people who do maintain em'.